Tag Archives: china

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Hector and the Search for Happiness - Simon Pegg film posterDirector: Peter Chelsom
Writer: Peter Chelsom,Tinker Lindsay and Maria von Heland. Based on the novel of the same name by François Lelord
Released: September 2014
Starring: Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike and Toni Collette
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I thought this was going to be an English version of Walter Mitty… I think that was the aim anyway, but it certainly wasn’t the final product.

Unfortunately, this potentially deep and meaningful storyline was not achieved due to the general lack of believability, and the distaste toward the main character, Hector (Simon Pegg).

Hector and the Search for Happiness - Simon Pegg filmBasically, Hector is a psychiatrist and he finds himself unfulfilled. So he goes on a journey around the world, visiting countries including China and Africa, to find out what makes people happy.

But right off the bat, the audience stops rooting for the protagonist when he cheats on his wife in China, then meets up with an old flame in America. Suddenly, we no longer think well of Hector and the story goes down hill from there.

So the suspension of disbelief has plummeted, and for the rest of the film I’m hoping his wife Clara (Rosamund Pike) tells him he’s a disgusting excuse for a man and dumps him.

To save you the suspense, here are some of the things he learns makes people happy. Like most other films in the ‘runaway’ genre, he writes down his experiences.

  • Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.
  • A lot of people think happiness is being rich or important.
  • Many people see happiness only in their future.
  • Happiness could be the freedom to love more than one woman at the same time. (Which I’m sure will result in the unhappiness of people around him!)
  • Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

Hector and the Search for Happiness - Simon pegg filmAnyway. I was disappointed because I love Walter Mitty so much and I thought this would be just as inspiring. Although, the fact it wasn’t shown in the major theatres here in New Zealand should have been a clue.

 

A great excuse to travel the world for some lucky cast and crew.

Jodie’s rating: 4/10
1) Because I still enjoy movies about travel, 2) it has Simon Pegg in it, 3) it has Rosamund Pike in it, and 4) the trailer is pretty awesome.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

transformers-age-of-extinction-title-1280

Director: Michael Bay
Writers: Ehren Kruger
Released: June 2014
Featuring: Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci
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One was enough!

This is the fourth Transformers movie. This has gone on for too long.

It’s about government agencies coming after people who have found a Transformer. Transformers are no longer welcome as they are deemed ‘alien’.

Transformers-Age-of-Extinction-Gets-Brand-New-PosterI’m not a Transformers fan, but I can appreciate that cars becoming giant robots are cool.

However, the fighting was endless and exhausting, and acting was hopeless. It was a pointless and boring two hours and 45 minutes.

Assuming that Transformer fans enjoy these movies because of the graphics when the machines physically transform will be sorely disappointed. The entire premise of this fourth film is based around how the man-made Transformers don’t “transform” at all, and when the original machines are about to transform, the camera  pans away!

Transformers-Age-of-Extinction-hThe product placement was blatant and outright ridiculous. Stanley Tucci is amazing, but conveniently drank a Chinese soy-based beverage toward the camera, with the branding beautifully framed and presented. It was pathetic.

If you’re okay with being belittled and being nothing more than a captive audience to sell Victoria’s Secret, Bud Light and energy drinks to, be my guest. But it is certainly an exhaustingly long film with a stupid storyline. Although, to be fair, I zoned out by the time the characters made it to China…

Transformers: Age of Extinction is a three hour ad break.

Oh so boring. Please, no more.

Jodie’s rating: 2/10

Two points were given because:
1. The dinosaur transformer things were pretty cool
2. Stanley Tucci